Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-cfpbc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T19:34:58.166Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Child-inclusive Family Intervention in a Community Adult Mental Health Service

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 August 2012

Vicki Cowling  and
Matthew Garrett
Vicki Cowling*
Affiliation:
Hunter New England Local Health District, New South Wales
Matthew Garrett
Affiliation:
Relationships Australia, New South Wales
*
Address for correspondence: Vicki Cowling, PO Box 273, Ormond VIC 3204. Email: Vickirivers@exemail.com.au
Get access

Abstract

In this paper we describe an intervention that focuses on the needs of children in families where a parent has a mental illness and attends a community adult mental health setting. After a brief outline of the literature, we present a family approach that includes children and young people, their parents and grandparents. Case studies then illustrate the work as a ‘best practice’ for parents who are clients in community adult mental health services.

Keywords

childrenfamilyadult mental health service
Type
Articles
Information
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , June 2012 , pp. 101 - 113
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ackerman, N. (1970). Child participation in family therapy. Family Process, 9, 403–410.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ahern, K. (2003). At risk children. A demographic analysis of the children of clients attending mental health community clinics. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 12, 223–228.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Allen, I., & Petr, C. G. (1998). Rethinking family-centered practice. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 68, 4–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baldock, E. (2007). Grandparents raising grandchildren because of alcohol and other drug issues. Family Matters, 76, 70–75.Google Scholar
Barrowclough, C., & Lobban, F. (2008). Family intervention. In Meuser, K. T. & Jeste, D. V. (Eds.), Clinical handbook of schizophrenia (pp. 214–225). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Beardslee, W. R., Gladstone, T. R. G., Wright, E. J., & Cooper, A. B. (2003). A family-based approach to the prevention of depressive symptoms in children at risk: Evidence of parental and child change. Pediatrics, 112, e119–e131. www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/112/2/e119CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, J. (1997). Circular questioning: an introductory guide. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. 18, 109–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Byng-Hall, J. (1995). Creating a secure family base: Some implications of attachment theory for family therapy. Family Process, 34, 45–48.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carr, A. (1994). Involving children in family therapy. A systemic consultation. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 5, 41–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carr, M. (2004). Miriam's story. In Cowling, V. (Ed.) Children of parents with mental illness 2: Personal and clinical perspectives (pp. 75–78). Melbourne: ACER Press.Google Scholar
Cleaver, H., Unell, I., & Aldgate, J. (1999). Children's needs - parenting capacity. The impact of parental mental illness, problem alcohol and drug use, and domestic violence on children's development. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Cooklin, A. (2001). Eliciting children's thinking in families and family therapy. Family Process, 40, 293–312.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cooklin, A. (2004). Talking with children and their understanding of mental illness. In Göpfert, M., WebsterM., J. M., J. & Seeman, M. V., Parental psychiatric disorder. Distressed parents and their families (2nd edn.) (pp. 292–305). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cooklin, A. (2006). Children of parents with mental illness. In Combrinck-Graham, L. (Ed.) Children in family contexts. Perspectives on treatment (2nd edn.), (pp. 265–291). London: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Cooklin, A., & Gorell Barnes, G. (2004). Family therapy when a parent suffers from psychiatric disorder. In Göpfert, M., Webster, J. & Seeman, M. V.. Parental psychiatric disorder. Distressed parents and their families (2nd edn.) (pp. 306–321). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cousins, C. (2004). When is it serious enough? The protection of children of parents with a mental health problem, tough decisions and avoiding a ‘martyred’ child. Advances in Mental Health http://amh.e-contentmanagement.com/archives/vol/3/issue/2/article/3380/when-is-it-seriousenough. Retrieved 15 January 2011.Google Scholar
Cowling, V. (Ed.) (1999). Children of parents with mental illness. Melbourne: ACER Press.Google Scholar
Cowling, V., Edan, V., Cuff, R., Armitage, P., & Herszberg, D. (2006). Mental health consumer and carer participation in professional education: ‘Getting There Together’ for children of parents with mental illness and their families. Australian Social Work, 59, 406–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cowling, V., & Garrett, M. (2009). Child and family inclusive practice: A pilot program in a community adult mental health service. Australasian Psychiatry, 17, 279–282.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cowling, V., Seeman, M. V., & Göpfert, M. (2010). Grandparents parenting grandchildren when parents have a mental illness. COPMI GEM (Children of Parents with Mental Illness, Gateway to Evidence that Matters) Edition 9. http://www.copmi.net.au/gems/files/COPMI_gems_09.pdfGoogle Scholar
Daniel, G., & Wren, B. (2005). Narrative therapy with children in families where a parent has a mental health problem. In Vetere, A. & Dowling, E. (Eds.), Narrative therapies with children and their families (pp. 121–139). East Sussex: Routledge.Google Scholar
Delahunty, M. (2004). Finding beauty. In Cowling, V. (Ed.) Children of parents with mental illness 2: Personal and clinical perspectives (pp. 79–84). Melbourne: ACER Press.Google Scholar
Diaz-Caneja, A., & Johnson, S. (2004). The views and experiences of severely mentally ill mothers: A qualitative study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 39, 472–482.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dixon, L., Lyles, A., Scott, J., Lehman, A., Postrado, L., Goldman, H., & McGlynn, E. (1999). Services to families of adults with schizophrenia: From treatment recommendations to dissemination. Psychiatric Services, 50, 233–238.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Earley, L., & Cushway, D. (2002). The parentified child. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 7, 163–178.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Falloon, I. R. H. (2003). Family interventions for mental disorders: Efficacy and effectiveness, World Psychiatry, 2, 20–28.Google ScholarPubMed
Farrell, G., Handley, C., Hanke, A., Hazelton, M., & Josephs, A. (1999). The Tasmanian children's project report: The needs of children and adolescents with a parent/carer with a mental illness. Launceston: University of Tasmania.Google Scholar
Focht-Birkerts, L., & Beardslee, W. R. (2000). A child's experience of parental depression: Encouraging relational resilience in families with affective illness. Family Process, 39, 417–434.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Foster, K., O'Brien, L., & McAllister, M. (2005). Addressing the needs of children of parents with mental illness: Current approaches. Contemporary Nurse, 18, 67–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fredman, G., & Fuggle, P. (2000). Parents with mental health problems: Involving the children. In Reder, P., McClure, M. & Jolley, A. (Eds.), Family matters. Interfaces between child and adult mental health (pp. 213–226). London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Fudge, E., & Robinson, P. (2009). A public health approach to promoting better mental health outcomes for children of parents with a psychiatric disability. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 33, 83–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Glynn, S.M., Cohen, A.N., Dixon, L.B., & Niv, N. (2006). The potential impact of the recovery movement on family interventions for schizophrenia: Opportunities and obstacles. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 32, 451–463.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goldfinch, M. (2009). Putting Humpty together again. Working with parents to help \children who have experienced early trauma. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 30, 284–299.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Göpfert, M., Webster, J., & Seeman, M. V. (2004). Parental psychiatric disorder: Distressed parents and their families (2nd edn.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harriet (2008). The experience of a grandmother raising Sam, her grandson, from infancy. In Sved Williams, A. & Cowling, V. (Eds.), Infants of parents with mental illness: Developmental, clinical, cultural and personal perspectives (pp. 115–117). Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.Google Scholar
Hearle, J., Plant, K., Jenner, L., Barkla, J., & McGrath, J. (1999). A survey of contact with offspring and assistance with child care among parents with psychotic disorder. Psychiatric Services, 50, 1354–1356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hill, J. (2004). Parental psychiatric disorder and the attachment relationship. In Göpfert, M., Webster, J. & Seeman, M. V., Parental psychiatric disorder: Distressed parents and their families (2nd edn.) (pp. 50–61). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jennifer (2008). “. . .. No question.” In Sved Williams, A. & Cowling, V. (Eds.), Infants of parents with mental illness: Developmental, clinical, cultural and personal perspectives (pp. 105–108). Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.Google Scholar
Judge, K. A. (1994). Serving children, siblings, and spouses: Understanding the needs of other family members. In Lefley, H. P. & Wasow, M. (Eds.), Helping families cope with mental illness (pp. 161–194). Switzerland: Harwood Academic Publishers.Google Scholar
Kane, J., & McGlashen, T. (1995). Treatment of schizophrenia. The Lancet. 346, 23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kerr, M. E. (1988). Family evaluation: An approach based on Bowen theory/Michael E. Kerr and Murray Bowen. New York: Norton.Google Scholar
Korner, S., & Brown, C. (1990). Exclusion of children from family psychotherapy: Family therapists beliefs and practices. Journal of Family Psychology, 3, 420–430.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Larner, G. (1996). Narrative child family therapy. Family Process, 35, 423–440.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lehman, A. F., & Steinwachs, D. M. (1998). At issue: Translating research into practice: the Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) treatment recommendations. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 24, 1–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lund, L. K., Zimmerman, T. S., & Haddock, S. A. (2002). Theory, structure and techniques for the inclusion of children in family therapy: A literature review. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28, 445–454.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maybery, D., Reupert, A., Patrick, K., Goodyear, , & Crase, L. (2009). Prevalence of children whose parents have a mental illness in Australia. Psychiatric Bulletin, 33, 22–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McFarlane, W. R. (Ed.) (1983). Family therapy in schizophrenia. New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
McFarlane, W. R. (2005). Psychoeducational multifamily groups for families with persons with severe mental illness. In Lebow, J. L. (Ed.), Handbook of clinical family therapy (pp. 195–227). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
MacKinnon, L., & James, K. (1991). Initial meetings in child at risk cases: Developing a family alliance, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 12, 175–185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MacKinnon, L., & James, K. (1987). The Milan Systemic Approach Therapy and Practice. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 8, 89–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McIntosh, J. (2007). Child inclusion as a principle and as evidence-based practice: Applications to family law services and related sectors. Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse Issues No. 1. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.Google Scholar
Miklowitz, D., George, E. L., Richards, J. A., Simoneau, T. L., & Suddath, R. L. (2003). A randomized study of family-focused psychoeducation and pharmacotherapy in the outpatient management of bipolar disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 60, 904–912.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Minuchin, S. (1977). Families and family therapy. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Mottaghipour, Y., & Bickerton, A. (2005). The pyramid of family care: A framework for family involvement with adult mental health services 4, 210–217. Advances in Mental Health. http://pubs.e-contentmanagement.com/doi/pdf/10.5172/jamh.4.3.210Google Scholar
Meuser, K. T., & Jeste, D. V. (Eds.). Clinical handbook of schizophrenia. New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Nicholson, J., & Henry, A. D. (2003). Achieving the goal of evidenced based psychiatric rehabilitation practices for mothers with mental illnesses. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 27, 122–130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
O'Brien, A., & Loudon, P. (1985). Redressing the balance — involving children in family therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 7, 81–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parrott, L, Jacobs, G. & Roberts, D. (2008). Stress and resilience factors in parents with mental health problems and their children. Research Briefing 23. Social Care Institute for Excellence. http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/briefings/briefing23/index.asp. Retrieved 1 March, 2011.Google Scholar
Reiss-Brennan, B., Oppenheim, D., & Kirstein, J. L. (2002). Rebuilding family relationship competencies as a primary health intervention. Primary Care Companion Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 4, 41–53.Google ScholarPubMed
Rober, P. (1998). Reflections on ways to create a safe therapeutic culture for children in family therapy. Family Process, 37, 201–213.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ruble, N. (1999). The voices of therapists and children regarding the inclusion of children in family therapy: A systematic research synthesis. Contemporary Family Therapy, 21, 485–503.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rutter, M., & Quinton, D. (1984). Parental psychiatric disorder: Effects on children. Psychological Medicine, 14, 853–880.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sanders, C. (2003). Living up to our theory: Inviting children to family sessions. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 4, 177–182.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scott, D. (2009). Think child, think family. Family Matters, 81, 37–42.Google Scholar
Sheinberg, M., & True, F. (2008). Treating family relational trauma: A recursive process using a decision dialogue. Family Process, 47, 173–195.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Solantaus, T. S., Toikka, S., Alasuutari, M., Beardslee, W. R., & Paavonen, E. J. (2009). Safety, feasibility and family experiences of preventive interventions for children and families with parental depression. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 11, 15–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Somers, V. (2007). Schizophrenia: The impact of parental illness on children. British Journal of Social Work, 37, 1319–1334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sori, C. F. (2004). Training family therapists to work with children and families. A modified Delphi study. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30, 479–495.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stallard, P., Norman, P., Huline-Dickens, S., Salter, E., & Cribb, J. (2004). The effects of mental illness upon children: A descriptive study of the views of parents and children. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 9, 39–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stainbridge, R., & Burbach, F. (2007). Developing family inclusive mainstream mental health services. Journal of Family Therapy, 29, 21–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stith, S. M., Rosen, K. H., McCollum, E. E., Coleman, J. U., & Herman, S. A. (1996). The voices of children. Preadolescent children's experiences in family therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 22, 69–86.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tebes, J. K., Kaufman, J. S., Adnopoz, J., & Racusin, G. (2001). Resilience and family psychosocial processes among children of parents with serious mental disorders. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 10, 115–136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Villeneuve, C., & LaRoche, C. (1993). The child's participation in family therapy: A review and model. Contemporary Family Therapy, 15, 105–119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walsh, F. (1996). The concept of family resilience: Crisis and challenge. Family Process, 35, 261–281.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Watchel, E. F. (1994). Treating troubled children and their families. New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar